Letter from the editor.

• Author: Rebhun, Elliott
• Position: TEACHER'S EDITION

With the Iraq war soon to enter its third year, our cover story examines the expanding role women are playing in America's armed forces. Officially, the Pentagon still does not permit women in combat, but in Iraq, the front lines can be anywhere insurgents stage an attack or plant a roadside bomb.

On the home front, our article about Americans serving life sentences for crimes they committed before they turned 18 asks two questions: Does this constitute "cruel and unusual punishment," and what is daily life like...